C.D. Howe Institute Monetary Policy Council Calls for Bank of Canada to Hold Overnight Rate Target at 0.25 Percent until Fall, Hike to 0.50 Percent by Next July, Reduce Bond Purchases
July 8, 2021 – The C.D. Howe Institute’s Monetary Policy Council (MPC) recommends that the Bank of Canada keep its target for the overnight rate, its benchmark policy interest rate, at 0.25 percent at least until January of 2022, and raise it to 0.50 percent by July of 2022. It also recommends that the Bank reduce its quantitative-easing purchases of Government of Canada bonds below its current pace of $3 billion per week.
The MPC provides an independent assessment of the monetary stance consistent with the Bank of Canada’s 2 percent inflation target. William Robson, the Institute’s CEO, chairs the Council. Council members make recommendations for the Bank of Canada’s upcoming interest-rate announcement, the…
Bank of Canada Should Keep Overnight Rate at 0.25 Percent over Coming Year: C.D. Howe Institute Monetary Policy Council
June 3, 2021 – The C.D. Howe Institute’s Monetary Policy Council (MPC) recommends that the Bank of Canada keep its target for the overnight rate, its benchmark policy interest rate, at 0.25 percent at least until June of 2022, but reduce its purchases of Government of Canada bonds from the current pace of $3 billion per week.
The MPC provides an independent assessment of the monetary stance consistent with the Bank of Canada’s 2 percent inflation target. William Robson, the Institute’s CEO, chairs the Council. Council members make recommendations for the Bank of Canada’s upcoming interest-rate announcement, the subsequent announcement, and the announcements six months and one year ahead. The Council’s formal…
High Spectrum Costs, Regulatory Impediments Slow 5G Rollout: Telecommunications Policy Working Group
High Spectrum Costs, Regulatory Impediments Slow 5G Rollout: Telecommunications Policy Working Group
April 21, 2021 – High spectrum costs and regulatory impediments impact the rollout of 5G and undermines Canada’s technological competitiveness, says a new report from the C.D. Howe Institute.
At their recent meetings, the Telecommunications Policy Working Group discussed spectrum policy and the consequences of high spectrum costs.
The Working Group agrees Ottawa’s primary goal should be to allocate spectrum most efficiently and ensure competitive access to spectrum. Improved spectrum allocation policy will enable the critically needed 5G infrastructure of the future.
Ottawa’s policy of auctioning off radiofrequency spectrum for telecommunications purposes is designed to minimize interference and ensure its…
Bank of Canada Should Hold Overnight Rate at 0.25 Percent, Reduce Government Bond Purchases: C.D. Howe Institute Monetary Policy Council
April 15, 2021 – The C.D. Howe Institute’s Monetary Policy Council (MPC) recommends that the Bank of Canada keep its target for the overnight rate, its benchmark policy interest rate, at 0.25 percent at its next policy rate announcement on April 21st, but reduce its purchases of Government of Canada bonds below $4 billion per week.
The MPC provides an independent assessment of the monetary stance consistent with the Bank of Canada’s 2 percent inflation target. William Robson, the Institute’s CEO, chairs the Council. Council members make recommendations for the Bank of Canada’s upcoming interest-rate announcement, the subsequent announcement, and the announcements six months and one year ahead. The Council’s formal…
Telecom Prices Dropped 25 Percent Over Five Years: Telecommunications Policy Working Group
March 24, 2021 – Cellular services have seen a 25 percent price drop over the past five years, a decline that aligns with Ottawa’s promised wireless rate cut, says a new report from the C.D. Howe Institute.
At their recent meetings, the Telecommunications Policy Working Group discussed the regulation of prices, modernizing the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) and mandated access (requiring facilities-based wireless carriers to allow service providers access to those facilities at rates set by the CRTC).
With the federal government’s focus on wireless pricing, the Working Group stressed the importance of timely and transparent telecommunications data that reflects actual prices paid…